"The Anatomy of a Movie Poster: The Work of Dawn Baillie" Exhibition Debuts at Jacob Burns Film Center

The Jacob Burns Film Center (JBFC) is proud to present The Anatomy of a Movie Poster: The Work of Dawn Baillie, an exhibition celebrating the illustrious career of one of the most influential movie poster designers of our time. The exhibit will feature sixteen of Baillie’s most celebrated works—from Dirty Dancing in 1987 to Barbie in 2023—showcasing her groundbreaking contributions to the art and design of film marketing.

This exhibition comes to the JBFC from Poster House in New York City, with original support from the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) and the Department of Cultural Affairs (DCAL). All posters are part of the Poster House Permanent Collection.

“A poster’s job is to celebrate a film in one frame. The job is well done when an audience is piqued and the poster makes it to the dorm room wall.”
—Dawn Baillie, The New York Times, 2024

“We are thrilled to host The Anatomy of a Movie Poster: The Work of Dawn Baillie, an exhibition that not only highlights the incredible artistry behind film marketing but also celebrates the groundbreaking career of a trailblazing designer. Dawn Baillie’s work has left an indelible mark on the intersection of art, cinema, and culture, and we are proud to share her legacy with our community,” said Mary Jo Ziesel, JBFC Executive Director.

Exhibit Details

Visitors to the exhibit will enjoy a curated selection of Baillie’s most memorable designs, including Dirty Dancing, The Silence of the Lambs, The Grand Budapest Hotel, and Barbie. Other featured titles include Road House, Sleepless in Seattle, Natural Born Killers, Out of Sight, The Royal Tenenbaums, Zoolander, Chicago, Little Miss Sunshine, The Truman Show, Inherent Vice, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and Birdman. The Anatomy of a Movie Poster: The Work of Dawn Baillie will be on display in the Jane Peck Gallery, located on the third floor of the JBFC Theater alongside Take 3 Wine Bar & Café. The gallery is accessible seven days a week during theater operating hours.

From Aspiring Designer to Industry Icon

For a young Dawn Baillie, the theaters along Hollywood and Sunset Boulevard served as her personal art gallery. Inspired by the vibrant imagery of movie posters, she dreamed of one day creating such works herself. That dream began to take shape in 1986 when Baillie, then a senior at Otis College of Art and Design, brought a full-sized reimagined poster of Harold and Maude into an interview with future mentor Tony Seiniger. Her boldness and talent set the stage for an award-winning career spanning nearly four decades and three design agencies. In 1992, Baillie shattered industry glass ceilings as the first woman to cofound an American print agency, BLT. Today, BLT is 100% employee-owned, a testament to her enduring commitment to innovation and equity in the field. Dawn Baillie’s unparalleled creativity has earned her numerous accolades, including the inaugural Saul Bass Award in 2012. Her work transcends mere advertising, becoming an indelible part of pop culture.

The JBFC sincerely thanks Poster House for sharing pieces from its permanent poster collection for the exhibit.